Graduate Certificate in Global Health Practice in Asia

Graduate Certificate in Global Health Practice in Asia

Your journey to addressing global health issues in Asia begins here.

In a world that is increasingly interconnected by travel, trade, and information, many future health challenges will require innovative, multi-disciplinary solutions that transcend borders. Thus, an understanding of global health has become more vital than ever for professionals in the health sector and beyond.

The Graduate Certificate in Global Health Practice in Asia and its constituent courses seek to empower participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to address Global Health issues affecting Singapore, Asia, and beyond.

Curated for the global learner, the Graduate Certificate delivers world-class knowledge through an Asian lens, developing your understanding of the intricacies and challenges of health and healthcare in Asia and beyond. It provides you with a strong foundation of both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to further your career in Global Health as a practitioner, educator, researcher or administrator.

Interested in knowing more?

Download the brochure

We invite you to develop your skills in Global Health, position yourself as a future Global Health leader in your field, and learn how to positively impact the health of populations and communities throughout Singapore, Asia, and beyond.

Dr Courtney Davis

Clinical Assistant Professor, Duke-NUS Medical School, Education Co-Lead, SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute & Programme Director, Graduate Certificate in Global Health Practice in Asia

Course Information

Course Details

Students must complete the two core courses and two electives from the course list below to complete the Graduate Certificate programme, for a total of 16 modular units.
Each course consists of 40 instructional hours in a face-to-face format and will combine interactive lectures and problem-based learning.

Students may enrol in individual standalone courses to accumulate towards a Graduate Certificate within three years of the first enrolment.

Registration Dates

Registration Opening for Semester 1: April 1, 2025

Registration Closing for Semester 1: July 4, 2025

Registration Opening for Semester 2: September 1, 2025

Registration Closing for Semester 2: December 5, 2025

Eligibility Requirements

Students should possess a Bachelor’s degree in any field. Prior work in global health is beneficial but not required.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

Each individual course costs $5,400.00 SGD subject to prevailing GST.
Please get in touch with SDGHI Education for scholarship and funding opportunities (sdghi.education@duke-nus.edu.sg).

Course List

Global Health Practice in Asia – An Introduction

GMS6961

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the main issues related to global health. Global in coverage but with a focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in Asia, it will provide an overview of the most important health challenges facing the world today. Attention to socio-economic determinants of health, the imperative for health equity, the role of health systems, and the linkages between health and other multidisciplinary aspects will be maintained throughout the course.

Course Director: Dr Courtney Davis, MD, MPH
Clinical Assistant Professor, SingHealth Duke-NUS Paediatrics Academic Clinical Programme
Co-Lead (Education and Training), SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute

Project Evaluation in Global Health

GMS5151

Global health projects are complex, and evaluation can be challenging. As such, comprehensive evaluation is vital for ensuring that projects are on track and poised to achieve intended outcomes or impact. The aim of this course is to introduce to the participants the major concepts in the evaluation of global health projects in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The course will not only impart knowledge on evaluation approaches but also create an opportunity to assess and plan one first-hand. Course participants can apply this knowledge in their fields of practice either by designing an evaluation or by assessing the ones underway.

Course Director: Associate Professor Taufique Joarder, DrPH
Lead, Programme Evaluation Unit, SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute

Infectious Diseases and Global Health

GMS5152

This course will provide an overview of the emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases globally, with a key focus on the Asian region. It will introduce participants to key transnational and cross-border concepts and issues such as One Health, global health security, diagnostics, surveillance, and vaccines. Additionally, the course will highlight the importance of effective infectious disease policy, risk communication, and community engagement for prevention and control of outbreaks. After the course, participants will be able to identify the key challenges and opportunities in the prevention and control of infectious diseases globally.

Course Director: Associate Professor Ruklanthi (Rukie) De Alwis Adamberage, PhD
Deputy Director, Centre for Outbreak Preparedness

Associate Professor Vincent Pang
Centre for Outbreak Preparedness

Non-Communicable Diseases: Building Health Systems Capacity

GMS5153

Participants of this course will be provided with an overview of the global burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) with a focus on Asia. It is curated for participants who are keen to learn more about NCD prevention and the implementation and evaluation of NCD interventions in the region. Participants will learn key epidemiological concepts and understand the challenges and opportunities present in the prevention of key NCDs such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health. With a focus on health systems, the course will also highlight the implications of NCD patterns and trends on health systems and the need for integrated NCD care.

Course Director: Dr Orlanda Goh Qi Mei, MPH
Consultant, SingHealth Duke-NUS Internal Medicine Academic Clinical Programme

Adolescent Health in Asia

GMS5154

While global health outcomes have improved in many arenas, the same gains have not been had in adolescent health outcomes. Adolescence is a unique phase of human development with unique patterns of risk and vulnerability relating to puberty, adolescent brain development, social role transitions, as well as socioeconomic and cultural factors. Understanding the vulnerabilities of adolescents as well as the strengths of this population is critical for building services and systems that can meet their needs. In this course, a holistic life-course approach on the health and well-being of adolescents in Asia is taken to explore the challenges and successes in improving the health of adolescents in Asia through policy, practice, and interventions.

Planetary Health: From Analysis to Action

GMS5155

This course is an introduction to planetary health – a new concept, field of inquiry, and arena for action that recognises the inextricable link between the health of people and that of the planet. For the past century, humanity has striven to improve its own wellbeing, largely at the expense of the Earth’s ecosystems. In this course, participants will be introduced to the scientific and ethical basis of planetary health; exposed to pressing planetary health issues such as climate change, food insecurity, and urban pollution; and equipped with knowledge and skills for creating planetary health solutions in various policy, economic, and advocacy arenas.

Course Director: Associate Professor Renzo Guinto, MD, DrPH
Lead, Planetary Health, SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute

Global Mental Health in Asia (NEW)

GMS5156

Mental health disorders are a growing global challenge and a leading cause of disability. In Asia, their burden has surged over the past three decades, compounded by stigma, limited resources, inadequate policies, and emerging issues like climate change. This course offers learners a foundational understanding of mental health in the region, focusing on unique challenges, Asian-led solutions, and collaboration with regional stakeholders. It examines needs, gaps, and strategies to develop innovative, contextually relevant approaches to improving mental health in Asia.

Course Director: Assistant Professor Anne-Claire Stona, MD, MScGMH
Lead, Global Mental Health, SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute

Course Schedule

Course Number	Course Title	Course Dates
GMS6961	Practice of Global Health in Asia: An Introduction	18 – 22 August 2025
GMS5151	Project Evaluation in Global Health	15 – 19 September 2025
GMS5152	Infectious Diseases and Global Health	12 – 16 January 2026
GMS5153	Non-Communicable Diseases: Building Health Systems Capacity	6 – 10 March 2026
GMS5154	Adolescent Health in Asia	6 – 10 October 2025
GMS5155	Planetary Health: From Analysis to Action	13 – 17 April 2026
GMS5156	Global Mental Health (NEW)	26 – 30 January 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I apply?

You can apply via the NUS Online Application Portal.

For detailed instructions, download the registration guide.

When can I choose my electives?

Electives are made available for selection from 22nd August 2025 to 29th August 2025.

I am an international student, can I apply?

Yes, international students are welcome to apply.

Are there any additional fees?

Student Service Fee (SSF): Students are required to pay an additional SGD25.70 per semester. In the event that students do not take any courses that semester, they would not have to pay this fee.

How far apart can I spread my courses?

To complete the Graduate Certificate, students must complete all required courses within three academic years.

Get in touch

For more information about the Graduate Certificate, please contact us at sdghi.education@duke-nus.edu.sg.